It all began in 1993 when Eric was teaching a Grade 5 class. His students were reluctant readers and writers and Eric began to write to encourage them to become more involved in literature. His first novel, Stand Your Ground was created for this class. It is set in the school where Eric was teaching, Vista Heights Public School, and some of the features of the community of Streetsville and many of the names of his students were incorporated into the story.
Since this first novel Eric has literally exploded on the children's young adult literature scene. Over the following years he has published sixty more novels with more scheduled for the coming years.
These novels have been enthusiastically received by children and young adults and critically acclaimed by teachers, reviewers and parents. Eric's novels have won more than 80 awards including eleven separate children's choice awards. He is the only three time winner of both the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch and Red Maple Awards - in which over 125,000 students participate and vote for the winners.
While remaining one of the best selling children's authors in the country, Eric's novels are now available in places as far away as New Zealand and Australia and have been translated into French, German, Swedish, Norweign, Chinese, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Spanish and Slovenian.
Eric has also moved beyond merely writing for children. He has presented to over 1,400,000 children across the country. His presentations blend drama, storytelling, audience participation and interaction. He not only wants his audience to hear about his books, but about the writing process and how they can become more excited about writing.
Since this first novel Eric has literally exploded on the children's young adult literature scene. Over the following years he has published sixty more novels with more scheduled for the coming years.
These novels have been enthusiastically received by children and young adults and critically acclaimed by teachers, reviewers and parents. Eric's novels have won more than 80 awards including eleven separate children's choice awards. He is the only three time winner of both the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch and Red Maple Awards - in which over 125,000 students participate and vote for the winners.
While remaining one of the best selling children's authors in the country, Eric's novels are now available in places as far away as New Zealand and Australia and have been translated into French, German, Swedish, Norweign, Chinese, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Spanish and Slovenian.
Eric has also moved beyond merely writing for children. He has presented to over 1,400,000 children across the country. His presentations blend drama, storytelling, audience participation and interaction. He not only wants his audience to hear about his books, but about the writing process and how they can become more excited about writing.
More info on Eric Walters is available here